Outside locking tracheal tube

Abstract

A tracheotomy tube of the type embodying inner and outer cannulas, with the inner cannula being removable from and insertable into the outer cannula and having a flange projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be disposed in a recess in the outer cannula for holding the cannulas against rotation relative to each other, and with the outer cannula embodying a collar rotatable into and out of overlying relation to the recess for selectively securing the flange in the recess and permitting withdrawal therefrom, respectively.

I claim: 
     
       1. A tracheotomy tube comprising a. an outer, elongated cannula, and   b. an inner, elongated cannula,   c. each of said cannulas having (1) a proximal end portion,   (2) a distal end portion, and   (3) a bore extending longitudinally therethrough,     d. said inner cannula being removably mounted in said bore of said outer cannula with a snug, freely slidable fit,   e. said outer cannula comprising (1) a tubular body portion (a) forming said distal end of said outer cannula, and   (b) extending to said proximal end of said outer cannula terminating in a free end face,     (2) an enlarged portion on said proximal end thereof defining an end face, and   (3) a collar rotatably mounted on said enlarged portion for rotation on said enlarged portion around the longitudinal axis of said bore in said outer cannula,     f. said collar having a front wall slidably disposed over said end face of said enlarged portion and defining the free end face of said proximal end of said outer cannula,   g. said enlarged portion having an elongated recess in said end face thereof with segments of the perimeter being substantially non-parallel to the perimeter of said bore in said outer cannula,   h. said recess projecting radially outwardly from said bore in said outer cannula,   i. said front wall having an opening therethrough,   j. said opening being complimentary in size and shape to said recess in said end face of said enlarged portion of said outer cannula and being aligned therewith,   k. said collar being rotatable on said enlarged portion between (1) one position wherein said opening is disposed in parallel alignment with said recess, and   (2) another position wherein said opening is disposed out of said parallel alignment with said recess,     l. said inner cannula proximal end having an elongated flange projecting radially outwardly therefrom and being sized and shaped to fit in said recess,   m. said inner cannula being movable axially through said opening into and out of position in said outer cannula wherein said flange is disposed in said recess when said collar is disposed in said one position, and   n. said collar being rotatable from said one position to said other position, when said flange is so disposed in said recess, to thereby dispose said front wall in overlying relation to said flange in position to prevent movement of said inner cannula out of said outer cannula.   
     
     
       2. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said flange is substantially complimentary (1) in size and shape to said recess, transversely of said bore in said outer cannula, and   (2) in thickness to the depth of said recess, longitudinally of the longitudinal axis of said bore in said outer cannula.     
     
     
       3. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said tubular body portion is composed of soft, resilient, flexible material,   b. said enlarged portion comprises (1) a flange integral to said tubular body portion, and   (2) a bushing mounted in said last mentioned flange.     
     
     
       4. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 3, and in which a. said bushing has an arcuate-shaped, radially outwardly facing annular recess extending around an outer peripheral portion thereof between two abutment members defining the opposite longitudinal opposite extremities of said annular recess, and   b. said collar has an inner portion disposed in position to abuttingly engage respective ones of said abutment members when said collar is disposed in corresponding ones of said one and other positions, to thereby limit said rotation of said collar to rotation between said one and other positions.   
     
     
       5. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 4, and in which a. said bushing has another abutment member disposed in said annular recess in position to yieldingly abuttingly engage said inner portion of said collar to yieldingly hold said collar in said another position against movement toward said one position when said collar is disposed in said another position.   
     
     
       6. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 5, and in which a. said other abutment member comprises a member disposed in said annular recess in radially outwardly projecting relation thereto and in position therein for said inner portion of said collar to yieldingly pass thereacross during rotation of said collar between said one and other positions.   
     
     
       7. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 6, and in which a. said other abutment member comprises an integral portion of said bushing.   
     
     
       8. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 6, and in which a. said other abutment member comprises a substantially U-shaped hair spring mounted in said annular recess in radially outwardly projecting relation thereto.   
     
     
       9. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 6, and in which a. said one and other positions of said collar are displaced from each other the substantial part of ninety degrees.   
     
     
       10. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 3, and in which a. said last mentioned flange includes diametrically opposite outwardly projecting portions for attachment to a person's neck when said body portion is disposed in an incision in said person's neck and projects into said person's trachea.   
     
     
       11. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 3, and in which a. said tubular body portion and said flange of said enlarged portion are composed of polyethylene,   b. said bushing is composed of aluminum, and   c. said inner cannula is (1) curved   (2) substantially rigid, and   (3) composed of acrylic resin.     
     
     
       12. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said collar includes a rear wall disposed in substantially parallel relation to said front wall,   b. said front and rear walls are disposed on respective opposite sides of a portion of said enlarged portion in position to hold said collar against axial displacement from said enlarged portion.   
     
     
       13. A tracheotomy tube as defined in claim 1, and in which a. said enlarged portion has an arcuate-shaped, radially outwardly facing annular recess extending between two abutment members defining the opposite extremities of said annular recess, and   b. said collar has an inner portion disposed in position to abuttingly engage respective ones of said abutment members when said collar is disposed in corresponding ones of said one and another positions, to thereby limit said rotation of said collar to rotation between said one and other positions.